Substitutes for Mouthwash
Most mouthwashes contain large amounts of alcohol, fluoride, sugar or sugar substitutes. Not only can these be potentially dangerous when ingested in large amounts, sugar also causes tooth decay and gum disease. According to the ORA MD website, these mouthwashes contribute to bad breath because germs feed on sugar. There are many different ways you can substitute your mouthwash and still have fresh breath.-
All Natural Mouthwash
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All-natural, over-the-counter mouthwashes can substitute chemical-laden traditional mouthwashes that trick your mind--with a fresh minty flavor--into thinking that your mouth and breath are clean. According to the ORA MD website, chemical-filled mouthwashes often do more harm than good and switching to a natural alternative is safer. Depending on the manufacturer, natural mouthwashes can contain a variety of natural ingredients such as witch hazel, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, baking soda and aloe vera.
Homemade Mouthwash
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Making your own mouthwash is ideal because you control the ingredients that go into the wash. Many at-home mouthwash recipes still contain alcohol and should be avoided by children. Everyone can use alcohol-free recipes. Make one by first bringing two cups of water to a boil. Remove the water from the heat. Add 3 tsp. fresh parsley, 2 tsp. ground cinnamon, 2 tsp. whole cloves and 2 tsp. peppermint extract. Allow the mixture to steep up to 15 minutes before straining it. Store the liquid in the refrigerator in a sealed container.
Natural Breath Fresheners
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Natural breath fresheners can come in the form of mints, gum and sprays and are free of dyes, artificial sweeteners and chemicals. Peppermint, spearmint and almond oil are ingredients found in many natural breath fresheners because they have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Natural breath fresheners are believed to work longer than traditional breath fresheners, which mask the problem temporarily. Unlike traditional mouthwashes, natural breath fresheners don't contain any alcohol, which is known to dry out the mouth. Other natural ways to freshen your breath can include rinsing and gargling with undiluted rose water and chewing parsley or watercress.
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